יום שלישי ט' באדר ב תשפ"ד 19/03/2024
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  • The Mission Continues

    As in the past so it remains today - we were and still are under the selfsame commitment to adhere to the directions of the Gedolei Yisrael, who stand guard against breaches of purity threatening our camp. When we were required to ask – we asked. When we were instructed to depart – we left. The moment we are summoned back to raise the flag, every other consideration is pushed to the side and we answer: We are ready!

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בראי היום

  • Harav Yisrael Friedman zy”a, the Rebbe of Husyatin

    מוטי, ויקיפדיה העברית

    The ancestral chain of Harav Yisrael Friedman, the founder of the Husyatin chassidic court, originates with the holy Baal Shem Tov. The Husyatin chassidus has its roots in Galicia and eventually came to Tel Aviv, during the turbulent years between the two World Wars.

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  • Maccabi'im Gravesite

    In honour of Chanukah, we will discuss a fascinating, ongoing investigation attempting to establish the place of burial of Mattisyahu Kohen Gadol and his family.

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In Weekly Parsha

Absolute Truth

“It was when Yaakov saw Rachel the daughter of Lavan....” (29:10).

Yosef Tropper 29/11/2009 11:37
After this week’s Torah portion, we have just met every one of the Avos and Ima’os, the Patriarchs and Matriarchs. There are many similarities between all of them. There is one specifically which I wish to discuss and bring out, as it is most relevant to this week’s Parsha.

When writing and pronouncing the Hebrew language there are different nekudos, vowels, that effect the way a word comes out. Rabbeinu Bechayeh (Kad HaKemach, Emes) points out that every single possible vowel is found throughout the letters that comprise the names of the Avos and Ima’os. “Avraham, Yitzchok, Yaakov, Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, Leah, Bilhah and Zilpah. They contain a kamatz, patach, segol, etc. All but one vowel. That is the sound of the shuruk (the three slanted dots standing one on top of the other). Why is this so? Why is this the only missing vowel?

He explains that the work “shuruk” can be rearranged to spell the word “sheker”, falsehood. This would not be fitting for the founders of the Jewish Nation. They were the epitome of truth. Likewise, he states, the first verse in the Torah also contains all of the nekudos, except for the shuruk. It is for the same reason. The Torah and Hashem’s creation of the world are the embodiment of absolute and perfect truth.

We see how far truth permeates. Even the names of our great founders have not an inkling of a hint to falsehood.
What is left to explain is: Yaakov. Throughout the entire Parsha, Yaakov seems to act with much deceit towards Lavan? Moreover, he is known to be the forefather who most strongly represents truth, truth is to Yaakov”?!

Rav Eliyahu Dessler zt”l states that we must define what ‘truth’ means before we start asking if someone is truthful or not.
There are many times that it is not appropriate to tell the truth. If someone were to be insulted by your words, then one is permitted and in fact commanded to “lie”. “No honey, you look gorgeous...” “The food is so delicious...” “It’s so nice to see you as well...” These are a few of the many everyday applications of this principle.

Truth, states Rav Dessler, is the fulfillment of Hashem’s will. Falsehood, is going against what Hashem wants.

This, he explains is the exact reason that Yaakov is commended for his truth. He assessed the situation and recognized that in order to protect himself from Lavan, he had to deal with deceit using deceit. Hashem wishes for us to do what is right and allows us to protect ourselves. Yaakov acted exactly according to the Torah and thus was blessed by Hashem with amazing prosperity.

May we all merit to follow in the ways of our forefathers and embrace truth. 

Extra Short and Sweet       
  
"The Title “Yehudi”

The Jews are referred to as “Yehudi”, from where does this come?

1- The simplest reason is because technically, the majority of Jews nowadays stem from the tribe of Yehuda (the explanation of this is beyond the scope of “short”.)

2- In this week's Parsha, Yehuda was born. He was given his name which means, “gratitude to Hashem”. This is the job of a Jew to live life thanking Hashem. More so, Leah was surprised to even merit having him, a forth child, as she had expected that each of the four wives of Yaakov would have 3 children (out of the 12). Hence, Yehuda expresses the ULTIMATE GRATITUDE for something that was not even expected. This is how we strive to thank and appreciate Hashem. We thank Him sincerely for the kindness he bestows upon us!

Yosef Tropper